Understanding the Development of the Concept of Suicide Through the use of Early Memory Techniques

Early memories of adults were examined to assess the understanding of the concept of suicide from childhood experiences. Subjects recalled their earliest suicide memory & their earlist suicidal thought. Between the ages of 8 & 12 initial exposure to suicide occurs predominantly through impersonal means. Around the age of 14, a mature adult conception of suicide exists. It is in this time period that individuals begin to think about suicide as a solution to personal conflict or emotional turmoil.